UPDATED April 2018

All baseball games shall be played by the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®, INC. as established for the current playing year. The priority of rules and regulations for this League shall be as follows:

Official Regulations and Playing Rules of LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®, INC.

Operating Manual for LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®, INC.

Coventry Little League Local Rules and Policies

No rule or policy may be adopted within the League that is or may be in direct conflict with any rule, regulation or policy contained in publications of a higher priority as listed above.

SAFETY

All managers, coaches and other volunteers must adhere to the Coventry Little League ASAP Plan (Safety Manual). The ASAP plan is handed out to each manager prior to their first practice and a copy can be obtained on the Coventry Little League website.

PARTICIPANT CONDUCT

All managers, coaches, volunteers, players, and spectators must adhere to the Coventry Little League Code of Conduct.

UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT

Players on the field must be in full uniform to include cap, uniform jersey and uniform pants

All male players are required to wear athletic support at all times during games and practices

2018 or newer bats with USA baseball stamp will only be allowed for use

GAME PRELIMINARIES

Home Team:

Provide the umpire with at least two (2) balls suitable to the umpire for play. Provide additional

balls as required.

Both Teams:

Prepare the baseball field before and after each game - including raking and chalk lines

Provide official scorekeeper and pitch counter for game - check at end of each inning

START OF GAME

All games shall start at the scheduled time except for changes approved by the League President, Division Vice President, or Division Director.

TIME LIMIT

No new inning shall be allowed to begin after ninety (90) minutes from the actual starting time of the game (excluding Majors). The head umpire, or home team Manager if no umpire, will announce the start time (when the first pitch is thrown) to both teams.

GROUND RULES

Ground rules shall be established between the team Managers and umpires, as applicable, before the start of the game.

COVENTRY LITTLE LEAGUE LOCAL RULES

UPDATED April 2017

COVENTRY LITTLE LEAGUE LOCAL RULES

UPDATED April 2018

All Divisions

BATTING ORDER/LINE UPS

The batting order shall be continuous and shall consist of the players present on the team for the game. Players arriving after the start of the game will be added on to the end of the roster.

AAA/Majors only: Players arriving after their team’s line-up has batted through order one time is ineligible for the game. (e.g. a late arriving player may not bat after the first hitter in the line-up steps to the plate for their second at-bat) or if two full innings have been played, late player is ineligible for that game.

PERSONS ALLOWED ON THE FIELD

The players and up to three adults (Manager and two (2) coaches) are the only individuals allowed on the field or in the dugout during games. In the event that a Manager or coach is absent, a parent or volunteer designated by the Manager and already registered with CLL as a volunteer may substitute. One adult must remain in the dugout when there are players in the dugout.

TeeBall/Single A: Additional volunteers are allowed on the field to assist play.

RULES, PARTICIPATION AND DEMEANOR

All players must remain on the field or seated in the dugout during the game. A player cannot leave the field or dugout to sit in the stands or purchase food or drink from the concession stand once the game has begun except to use the restroom or for treatment of an injury or illness.

ON DECK

No player shall be “on deck” during a game. ONLY THE FIRST BATTER OF THEIR TEAMS’S HALF- INNING MAY HAVE A BAT IN THEIR HANDS TO WARM-UP AND MUST BE IN AN AREA OUTSIDE THE BATTERS BOX WHERE NO PERSON IS NEAR THEM BEFORE SWINGING.

BASE COACHES

Tee Ball/Single A/Double A: The Manager, coaches, or other volunteers shall coach the bases. Majors/Triple A: At the manager’s discretion, players may coach a base, but must wear a helmet.

FOOD IN DUGOUT

No food or drink shall be brought into the dugout during the game except for a drinking container containing water or other suitable beverage.

POSTPONEMENTS

Games will be postponed by the Divisional Director due to weather conditions at least 1½ hours prior to game time. The Divisional Director will reschedule the game based on field availability. It is the Manger’s responsibility to notify the team of postponements and rescheduled games.

GAME RULES

Game rules are played as described in the Little League Official Rules Handbook and the local rules described in this document. No gentlemen’s agreements contrary to these regulations are allowed.

GAME BALLS

T ball will use T-Balls. Single A tee balls and dicks balls for practice and level 5 for games.

AA will use dicks regular balls for practice and level 5 for games.

AAA will use regular little league baseballs for practice and games

Majors will use regular little league balls for games and practices.

Tee Ball

PITCHING

All players hit off of a tee.

If a player is ready to hit a pitched ball after mid-season, the coach (adult only) may pitch a maximum of five (3) hittable balls. If the batter fails to hit the ball into fair territory after these pitches the Tee must be put in place by the coach and the batter will continue the “at bat” hitting off the Tee.

Players may not pitch.

BALLS AND STRIKES

No balls or strikes shall be called.

BASES ALLOWED ON A HIT BALL

One base per runner on a ball hit to the infield.

Two bases allowed on a ball hit to the outfield.

Runners may not advance as a result of an overthrow.

If a play is made in the field resulting in the batter or runner being called out, all runners will remain on base.

BASE STEALING

Base stealing is not allowed.

END OF HALF INNING RULE

A half inning shall be completed when every player has had an at-bat (6 batters) usually. The final batter of inning will hit, and all players on base including the batter will run all the way to home plate clearing the bases.

PLAYING TIME

Each team split into two groups so that there are two simultaneous games playing. One group

pairing plays in the infield, one in the outfield, switching after 2 innings is played.

Players should be spread out to all infield positions except catcher including one player in front of the second base bag. Rotate players one position after each at bat. Each player shall have the opportunity to play every position per game. SAFETY is the highest priority when the Manager or Coach positions their players on the field.

TIME LIMIT

No new inning may begin following the 1 ½ hour mark of the game start. Games should be try to be 4 innings in length giving each player two innings in the infield and two innings in the outfield.

STANDINGS

There are no standings or win/loss records in the Tee Ball Division and there are no forfeits. All games are played regardless of absentees.

Single A

PITCHING

The coach (adult only) may pitch a maximum of five (5) hittable balls to each batter. If the batter

fails to hit the ball into fair territory after these pitches the Tee must be put in place by the coach and the batter will continue the “at bat” hitting off the Tee.

Coaches should throw from about 15 to 20 feet away from batter. Coaches should sit on a bucket or throw from one knee. Coaches should not stand and throw to players especially from the mound.

Players may not pitch.

At the discretion of the manager, the catcher position may be used for pitched balls only. Catchers must bring their own gear and adhere to all safety regulations. The league does not supply catcher’s equipment for Single A.

BALLS AND STRIKES

NO balls or strikes shall be called.

BASES ALLOWED ON A HIT BALL

On a hit ball the runner may not advance past the next base when the ball returns to the infield.

Runners may not advance as a result of an overthrow.

BASE STEALING

Base stealing is not allowed.

BATTING RULES

A half inning will be complete when the 6th batter of the inning has hit and not when three outs are recorded. However, outs will be called by coaches or managers on the field. If a player is called out they are removed from the base paths.

PLAYING TIME

ALL team players present at game, shall be utilized in the field for defense. All regular infield positions are filled including the pitcher who stays on mound behind the coach throwing. Catchers are not normally used. Three additional players are allowed in the infield. One placed between the shortstop and 3rd basemen, one between the SS and 2nd baseman in front of the 2nd base bag, and one more between the 2nd basemen and 1 st baseman. Remaining players are placed in outifield. All players should be rotated throughout the game from infield to outfield and every postion except 1st. Coaches should only have players who are able to catch at 1st base. Safety is the highest priority when placing fielders.

TIME LIMIT

No new inning may begin following the 1 ½ hour mark of the game start. At least 4 innings should try to be played each game time permitting.

STANDINGS

There are no standings or win/loss records in the A Division and there are no forfeits. All games are played regardless of absentees.

Double A

PITCHING

Strikes erase balls through the entire count only when a new strike can be added. Players pitch to a limit of 4 balls or a strikeout. However a pitched strike (called or swinging) erases all balls accumulated prior to that strike (for example: The batter has a 3 balls and no strike count, the next pitch is a called strike. The count becomes 0 balls and 1 strike). Once two strikes are reached, foul balls will not erase balls. The purpose of this rule is to get the batters to be more aggressive at the plate and more used to batting off of kids pitching. If a player gets four balls he will earn a walk and will be granted first base.

The purpose of this rule is to get batters to me more aggressive at the plate and aid younger pitchers from walking too many batters. All players deserver the opportunity to learn to pitch however those players who are not ready to pitch in games should be given the opportunity during practices or scrimmages.

Three hit batters by the same pitcher in the same game will result in the removal of that pitcher for the rest of that game. They may be placed at any other position in the field.

Pitchers new to AA may pitch from a temporary rubber placed no closer than 40 feet (which will be measured and installed prior to AA games) to home plate. It will be determined prior to the beginning of the inning the distance at which the pitcher is able to deliver strikes without impacting their mechanics (for example: if the pitcher can effectively reach the catcher by moving in two feet, then the temporary rubber shall be placed at 44 feet from home plate). However if a player can reach from the regular pitching mound without impacting his or her mechanics, that pitcher will pitch from the regular mound. Returning players who pitched previous years in AA should be encouraged to pitch from 46 feet from the beginning of the season.

After each week or two of practices and games, coaches should teach and encourage pitchers to move back one foot from the 40 feet until they get back to the standard 46 foot mound.

Pitch counts for AA will be as follows:

League age 8- 50 pitches

League age 7- 40 pitches

League age 6- 30 Pitches

BASES ALLOWED ON A HIT BALL

On a hit ball the runner may not advance past the next base when the ball returns to the infield and is on the way back to the pitcher in the vicinity of the pitching circle. Runners may not advance as a result of an overthrow to the pitcher or if pitcher drops ball when players are attempting to end the play.

New This Year:

Runners may advance one base if after hitting the ball and there is an over throw, until they reach 3rd base. Example; if ball is hit to shortstop and the ball is over thrown at 1st base, the runner may advance one base to 2nd. If the player throws to 2nd to get the runner they may be tagged out. However, if they over throw 2nd base then runners may advance 1 more base.

If the 1-st basemen does not throw the ball to second and throws to pitcher to end play and an overthrow occurs then the runners may not advance. Fielder can run the ball to the pitcher and the runner can’t advance either.

If two runners are on base and there is an over throw after a hit ball then those runners may also advance one base until they reach 3rd base.

*However: Runners must be hit or walked in from 3rd base runners may not advance home on an overthrow.

BASE STEALING

Base stealing is not allowed including on the overthrow to a pitcher from the catcher or a pass ball.

FOUR RUN RULE AND SCORING

A half inning shall be completed when the team at bat scores four (4) runs before the defensive team gets three (3) outs. The last inning is unlimited.

Bunting

No bunting or slashing is allowed. No fake bunting to take a pitch either.

*Only adult coaches may be base coaches

*There is no infield Fly rule in AA

Ten Run Rule:

In effect after 4 innings or 3 and ½ if the home team is in the lead.

PLAYING TIME

All players must sit before any player sits twice. Each player shall have the opportunity to play at different defensive positions each game. SAFETY is the highest priority when the Manager or Coach positions their players on the field. First base should only be played by the coaches feel is able to catch properly and protect themselves from a thrown ball. Only the nine defensive positions will be fielded at any time and players should be positioned in traditional fielding positions.

TIME LIMIT

At 1-½ hour mark the last and unlimited inning will be called. If in the middle of an inning, at the 90 minute mark then the next full inning is the last and unlimited inning.

STANDINGS

There are no standings or win/loss records in the A Division and there are no forfeits. All games are played regardless of absentees.

Coaches Visits

Coaches may visit 3 times with one pitcher though out a game however a pitcher must be taken out on the 2nd visit in one inning.

Pass Ball Assistance

One coach from each team should hold extra balls and may stand off the side of the backstop to aid in getting pass balls back to the pitcher. Coach or umpire can throw balls back to pitcher to speed games up. Have catcher remain at plate in squatting position. Coaches behind catcher should not call pitches for the pitcher or be a distraction to the batter.

UMPIRES

Umpires for AA games are comprised of 11 and 12 year old Majors players. Any arguing with these umpires is a mandatory 1 game suspension with a hearing in front of the board prior to returning to the team, including practices. Managers may only discuss calls to teach the rules of the game, but umpire ruling is final unless it’s an evident error agreed upon by both managers and umpires involved. Coaches are allowed to call time and ask their manager to speak with umpire after a play is complete. Please work with your junior umpires they are learning as your players are. We encourage umpires to call strikes between the white lines on either side of the plate. Strike zone should be from the letters to the middle shin of the batter.

Triple A

PITCHING

Players pitch.

Three (3) hit batters allowed per game per pitcher, mandatory removal from pitching for that one game.

NO 12-year-old pitchers.

NO intentional walks.

Both teams must sign the pitch count log

Coaches are allowed to go to the mound to speak with the pitcher or to a pitcher/catcher combination. NO TEAM conferences allowed. Manager is allowed 3 visits per pitcher; pitcher must be removed on 2nd visit in one inning.

**New** A strike will erase balls one time only per at-bat during the season. (example 1: a

strike thrown on a 2-0 count reverts the count to 0-1 then the at bat continues as “normal” from that point. example 2: on a first pitch strike the count continues as “normal” for remainder of at bat”).

Pitch counts: No pitcher can pitch 40 pitches then be placed at the catchers position

Age 11- 85 pitches per day

Age 9-10 - 75 pitches per day

Age 8 - 50 pitches per day

Days Rest:

1-20 pitches no days rest

21-35 pitches (1) calendar days rest

36-50 pitches (2) calendar days rest

51-65 pitches (3) calendar days rest

66 or more pitches (4) calendar days rest

If a pitcher starts a batter before the next pitch limit is reached, the pitch count will reset to the lower level. Example: if player starts batter with 34 pitches and finishes the batter with 39 pitches and is removed from the game the pitch count reverts to 35.

Both Coaches should sign off on each others pitch counts at the end of games. Daily pitch counts must be entered by each manager within 24 hours of the game being completed. Winning manager responsible to enter scores within same time frame after each game.

BATTING

Bunting is allowed. Slashing is prohibited and the batter is out. (Slashing is when a batter squares to bunt to draw the players in and then tries to hit the baseball).

After entering the batter’s box, the batter should remain in the box with at least on foot throughout the at bat. Exceptions:

On a swing, bunt, or check swing.

When forced out of the box by a pitch.

When the batter attempts a “drag bunt.”

When the catcher does not catch the pitched ball.

When a play has been attempted.

When time has been called

When the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than five feet from the pitcher’s rubber after receiving the ball or the catcher leaves the catcher’s box.

On a three ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is a ball.

Stepping out between pitches for an extended length of time to receive a sign or get reset will result in a reminder from the umpire. No penalty will be incurred during regular season. This is to get batters used to this rule that will be enforced during tournament play.

BASE RUNNING

Maximum of 3 successful steals per inning (Attempted steals are not considered a stolen base). Any stolen bases after 3 succesful steals the runner will be sent back to the base they started from.

Each individual runner that advances to another base on a steal is considered (1) steal (e.g. runners on 1st and 2nd and they both successfully steal at the same time counts as (2) steals.

If the catcher attempts to throw out a runner during the act of stealing a base, the runner CANNOT advance on an overthrow or dropped ball.

If the catcher over throws the ball to a base that is already occupied, any base runner may advance At their own risk a maximum one (1) base, and will not count as a steal. Also known as throwing behind a runner.

If the catcher over throws the baseball back to the pitcher, the runners can advance at their own risk. This is considered advancement on an error and will NOT count as a steal. The advancing Player may advance only one base.

No delayed stealing is allowed. Steals must occur immediately as the ball is crossing the plate or a pass ball. Runners on 1st and 3rd. Man on 1st steals second the runner on third can not go after the catcher throws through to 2nd base. If there is a pass ball and both runners steal 2nd and home immediately that is not a delay steal and will count as two steals. If a runner attempts a delayed steal and is thrown out in the process the runner is out. If a runner is judged by the umpire to have delayed stolen a bag and was safe the runner will be sent back to the base they started from.

*No stealing second on a walk as well as not advancing 2 bases on a walk.

PLAY STOPS when pitcher has possession of the baseball and is inside the circle of the mound

and the baseball play is completed.

*All runners must slide into home when there is a play at the plate. If the runner is avoiding a tag at home he must slide. If the runner crosses the plate and the ball arrives well after, the runner does not need to slide. If a runner fails to slide into home and is safe on a play at the plate he will be returned to 3rd base. If runner doesn’t slide and is tagged or forced out the out stands.

FIVE RUN RULE AND SCORING

A half inning shall be completed when the team at bat scores five (5) runs before the defensive team gets three (3) outs, except in the last inning which the scoring is unlimited. Regular season games may end in a tie. In playoffs extra innings will revert to 5 run inning rule after the unlimited inning is called and completed.

MERCY RULE

Ten run rule is in effect after 4 innings. 3½ if home team is in the lead.

PLAYING TIME

All Players are to play at least ½ of each game they participate in and may not sit for consecutive innings.

TIME LIMIT

Last inning is to be called at the top of the next inning following the 1 ½ Hour mark of the game start time. If an inning hasn’t started at the 90 minute mark that inning will be the last and unlimited inning.

STANDINGS

Standings for regular season are not kept. All teams are entered into a round-robin tournament for playoffs and placements will be determined by random drawing.

UMPIRES

Umpires are comprised of 13 through 17 year olds. Coaches may call time to speak with their managers about challenging a call or rule. Only Managers may discuss calls with an umpire. Any arguing (above what a normal person would consider a discussion) with an umpire is a mandatory one game suspension with a review before the board. Once a call is made between both umpires after conference that call is final. Strike zone is from letters to middle shin and should be width of plate within to the white chalk lines.

Majors

Pitching

Kids Pitch

NO intentionalwalks.

Both teams must sign the pitch countlog

11-12 - 85 pitches per day

9-10 - 75 pitches per day

Days Rest:

1-20 pitches no days rest

21-35 pitches (1) calendar days rest

36-50 pitches (2) calendar days rest

51-65 pitches (3) calendar days rest

66 or more pitches (4) calendar days rest

*If a pitcher starts a batter before the next pitch limit is reached, the pitch count will reset to the lower level. Example: if player starts batter with 34 pitches and finishes the batter with 39 pitches and is removed from the game the pitch count reverts to 35.

BATTING

After entering the batter’s box, the batter should remain in the box with at least on foot throughout the at bat.

Exceptions:

On a swing, slap bunt, or checkswing.

When forced out of the box by apitch.

When the batter attempts a “dragbunt.”

When the catcher does not catch the pitchedball.

When a play has beenattempted.

When time has beencalled

On a three ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is aball.

Stepping out between pitches for an extended length of time to receive a sign or get reset will result in a reminder from the umpire. No penalty will be incurred during regular season. This is to get batters used to this rule that will be enforced during tournament play.

BASE RUNNING

No stealing second on a walk as well as not advancing 2 bases on a walk.

MERCY RULE

Ten-run rule is in effect after 4 innings. 3 ½ if home team is in the lead.

PLAYING TIME

All Players are to play at least ½ of each game they participate in and may not sit for consecutive innings.

TIME LIMIT

First game of two night games only: No new inning after 2 hours. No pitch after 2:20.

STANDINGS

Standings are kept. All teams are seeded according to regular season record and entered into a round- robin tournament for playoffs.

UMPIRES

Majors use a professional umpire association. Any ejection by an umpire is a mandatory one game suspension.